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Original poster

F*cked up massively - work related. Perspective needed

628 replies

Stupidworkgirl · 01/05/2023 22:16

I have an important business trip abroad tomorrow which myself and several other colleagues are going on. It is a major event in our industry and we have been planning it for a while. I have done the majority of the planning and have enjoyed it and was excited to attend. Our company director is going along with my boss and several coworkers, one of which reports to me.

I have lost my passport. I only realised this at 4pm today when packing. I am meant to fly out on an early morning flight. We have a very tidy minimalist home and have searched everywhere, it is definitely not here. I last travelled a few months ago and can only think I dropped it somewhere between security and my car.

I have called my boss who has told the MD. My boss was understanding and kind about it, I don’t know what the MDs reaction was. I’m absolutely gutted. Missing out on the event is a horrible feeling but is actually the least of it, that will wear off once it is over at the end of this week. It is more the damage to my reputation and how people might think of me going forward. I’m honestly considering leaving and finding a new job, as I don’t know how I will mentally bounce back from it.

Looking for reassurance or perhaps any similar tales or fucking up at work.

OP posts:
Bamboozleme · 02/05/2023 11:22

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:20

I forgot to tell my one and only witness the date of a trial. When I did tell him, he told me he was off on a world cruise to celebrate retirement.

I have never felt so anxious, tearful or sick for as long as I did then! Now I use it as a 'worst mistake I've ever made' anecdote.

Were you sued for professional negligence? Was the implication for the person you were representing?

Jetstream · 02/05/2023 11:23

My mother’s ‘go to team’ St. Anthony, St Jude and Michael the Arc Angel. I am not religious, this team are the exception.

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:25

@Bamboozleme no! We fixed it but it was a horrible time between realising my mistake and working out how to fix it. I will certainly never make that sort of mistake again. And actually everyone was extremely sympathetic.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 02/05/2023 11:27

My stomach was in knots reading your post, OP. I'm really sorry, I can hear in your posts how stressful it is for you. What other posters have said about not beating yourself up though is such good advice. Nothing to be gained from it - and a man wouldn't do it, not for this anyway, they'd shrug it off.

I expect you'll feel awkward in yourself about this for a bit but please don't let it grow in proportion to real anxiety. As another PP said, 'Nobody died'. Brew

Bamboozleme · 02/05/2023 11:31

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:25

@Bamboozleme no! We fixed it but it was a horrible time between realising my mistake and working out how to fix it. I will certainly never make that sort of mistake again. And actually everyone was extremely sympathetic.

So he cancelled his cruise?!

Atticus999 · 02/05/2023 11:31

Too late to be helpful really but I lost my passport once and found it in the lining of a coat. My coat pocket had a hole in it and the passport had fallen inwards. It was right at the bottom of the lining inside a padded coat!

but try not to dwell op. I can totally imagine how you must be feeling, but in a few months you really wont care about this.

Thindog · 02/05/2023 11:33

Every single successful person has “fucked up.”In the grand scheme of things losing a document is really not that bad. Will it matter 100 years from now, or in five years, a year, a month, a week? Honestly everyone makes errors , it happened, now carry on, it’s all ok.

Whichwhatnow · 02/05/2023 11:36

Ouch OP! I had similar happen - passport through the washing machine a few days before a very important work trip. Luckily I had enough time to use the premium fast track service but it was expensive and meant that I had to take a day off at the last minute to go into the passport office, so had to explain to my boss what I'd done. It was very embarrassing but luckily he was very understanding - it can happen to anyone so try not to worry about that aspect!

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:37

@Bamboozleme no. And I'm not going to go into any detail as it may be outing other than to say, the result was good and nobody had to cancel anything.

user1471538283 · 02/05/2023 11:39

You must be so upset and I know now it's not a comfort but you can replace it.

I once left out evidence outside my cage (and I tried to sort the rest out) and another team burned the lot! I was besides myself but my boss and director were absolutely fine about it as I held my head in my hands.

Bamboozleme · 02/05/2023 11:39

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:37

@Bamboozleme no. And I'm not going to go into any detail as it may be outing other than to say, the result was good and nobody had to cancel anything.

Baffled how could have all come out good in the end but 🤷‍♀️

module · 02/05/2023 11:42

If it's not in your house and no one has handed it in anywhere, there's a strong possibility it's been stolen, possibly by someone finding it and keeping it.

I haven't seen the MN phrase for a while, 'This too shall pass', but it's been a help to me a few time when life gets a bit much. I really feel for you OP.

WarningToTheCurious · 02/05/2023 11:43

The MD of a company I worked for sent a memo to all staff saying that leaving a company car unlocked whilst going in to pay for petrol resulting in it being stolen would be a disciplinary matter. It was out of the blue and we were all a bit non plussed.

Turns out the MD had left his briefcase with highly confidential papers in the back of his brand new Range Rover, filled up at a petrol station and not only left the car unlocked but had left the keys in the ignition whilst he went in to pay. Surprise surprise, car was nicked.

It had zero impact on his career (and he is Sir somebody or other now).

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:44

@Bamboozleme mistakes happen and lots of things can be resolved. Are you a lawyer (just out of curiosity)?

Bamboozleme · 02/05/2023 11:50

kirinm · 02/05/2023 11:44

@Bamboozleme mistakes happen and lots of things can be resolved. Are you a lawyer (just out of curiosity)?

yes of course mistakes can happen

I just couldn’t see how this mistake could come “good”

but it did, so all good!

LobsterBiscuit · 02/05/2023 11:54

"You could have got up early and took the ferry! Only need photo ID like a driving licence for that! :-)"

Did you miss brexit @Truestorypeeps ?

WinterofOurDiscountTentz · 02/05/2023 11:58

LobsterBiscuit · 02/05/2023 11:54

"You could have got up early and took the ferry! Only need photo ID like a driving licence for that! :-)"

Did you miss brexit @Truestorypeeps ?

Also...the ferry? That famous ferry to "abroad", that goes from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in the world. That you don't need a passport for.

That ferry.

Bamboozleme · 02/05/2023 11:59

I’m guessing that poster is one for

“just leave him to it and go for a spa weekend”

LobsterBiscuit · 02/05/2023 12:00

"Also...the ferry? That famous ferry to "abroad", that goes from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in the world. That you don't need a passport for.

That ferry."

🤣🤣

SandLResources · 02/05/2023 12:01

With regards to the safe, have you felt up the sides...to make sure it's not standing up if that makes sense?

WeaselKingHenry · 02/05/2023 12:03

Search every bag, every coat, every file - you’ve mislaid it, not lost it. Fingers crossed it will turn up in a desk or somethibg

Honeypickle · 02/05/2023 12:05

@Bamboozleme evidence by video link maybe?

Newpeep · 02/05/2023 12:06

I'm sorry. It must be disappointing.

I used to organise academic lectures for schools. We once had to change the venue at short notice. I told everyone...but the lecturer. I wasn't there as I had something else booked so I had panicked phone calls from my boss asking where he was. Thankfully I realised, phoned the venue and security had him and sent him to us. I was mortified but everyone was very understanding and no jokes were made at my expense!

Thomasina79 · 02/05/2023 12:07

My DH was in charge of the passports in his special ‘travel folder’ which had all our documentation in it. The only trouble was he very nearly threw mine away with some rubbish when we were on the plane! Luckily I only just noticed. I now keep it on me.

I agree with everyone else, there are worse fuck ups at work that could happen. I think you probably dropped it somewhere. It is a shame about the trip, but there will be others and no one will think badly of you.mistakes happen, we are all human.

2bazookas · 02/05/2023 12:08

Have you checked the car (under frontseats; under the foot mats) ; your photocopier, your shopping bags.

I "lost" my hospital documents last month; until DH remembered " At the previous appt, you gave me your new handbag to hold".

Yes, they were in the new handbag I hardly ever use. It's so new and so rarely used I'd forgotten I had it, it when I checked all my other bags.